Juan Agudelo has not yet lived up to lofty expectations that were set in large part—and probably unfairly—by some highlight reel goals early in his career when he was with the New York Red Bulls. Agudelo, after all, has just eight league goals in his two-plus MLS seasons.

But what’s more important to the 19-year-old striker is that his current team, Chivas USA, cares about his development. Such was not the case in New York, Agudelo tells Goal.com’s Alex Labidou.

"I felt like I was developing with the national team but in training sessions (with New York), I wasn't getting much direction or belief in trying to improve my game," Agudelo told Labidou.

"It wasn't a place where they were looking to develop young players. ... I felt like if that was the case then personally, I would want to be at a place where they are looking to develop young players."

Agudelo has two goals in 11 games this season for Chivas USA, but he believes coach Robin Fraser is interested in helping him become a better player.

"He just basically tells me what he wants from me and what he expects from me day in and day out," Agudelo said, per Goal.com. "He tells me if I'm doing something wrong. That way I don't keep on repeating doing something wrong."

Although Agudelo did not mention Red Bulls coach Hans Backe by name, according to Labidou, it’s clear to whom he’s referring.

But, Labidou writes, there is “a bit of shortsightedness to Agudelo's implied criticisms. Backe boldly gave Agudelo his first start in a playoff match against the San Jose Earthquake, disregarding the fact that the player was only 17 at the time. In the following two seasons, Backe named Agudelo as an opening day starter.

“Furthermore, looking at Backe's track record, both Tim Ream and Connor Lade became regular players under the Swedish coach.

"It is more likely that Agudelo was looking for an arm over the shoulder, a coach who was willing to remind him of his potential and focus on making him a better player. In that case, Backe and Agudelo were a poor fit. The Red Bulls have a roster that is built to win an MLS Cup and Backe already has to manage the high-profile stars on the team.”